Problem with AT&T Modem and Linksys Router Solved/Closed

Question

Hello,

I am having a problem with getting internet connection after connecting my Linksys WRT54g router to my AT&T DSL/Cable modem.  I went through the entire setup process with no problem and then I received the message that the router was unable to connect to the internet.  From reading some of the other issues, I'm wondering if my WEP security could be the problem.  Please advise.  Thanks

locke415 · Accepted Answer

I had the same problem and here's how I fixed it. I use Internet Explorer, but the directions should be close for others. Here are the steps in order.

Download the latest firmware from the linsys website. 
Access you router at http://192.168.1.1. If the user name and password screen appears, the default is admin for username and admin for password, at least it was for mine.
Upgrade the frimware. If you need help upgrading firmware, liksys has a tutorial on the site.
Click on Setup.
Under the Basic Setup screen, change the Local IP address to 192.168.2.1. (This is straight from linksys)
Save settings.
Make sure that the router and modem are hooked up correctly.
Go to Internet Options under Tools.
Click on the Connections tab.
Click on Lan Settings.
Check the box next to "Automaticaly detect settings".
Click Ok.
Click Ok.
You should be able to access the internet.

This is what worked for me. Hope it helps.
Feel free to email me with questions.

xpcman · Answer

Call the Linksys help line - they should be able to help you better than any of us.

dt33 · Answer

I'm having the same problem. Did linksys help you and if so what did they suggest?

flyez · Answer

i am also having the same problem with my att router dsl modem from motorola when using the linksys wireless, everything will go well but then it will say "the router was unable to connect to the internet." this is making me very angry.
if anyone knows how to fix this please tell us.
thank you

stickykeys · Answer

Okay, So log into your router via 192.168.1.1 in your browsers address bar. Got to basic setup. Then at the top of the page you should have a drop down menu that has a list of ways to connect to the internet. It is my understanding that you need to use PPPoE and the designated account that you have with at&t. Use this and you should be able to connect now.

flyez · Answer

stickykey is right, because I got my fix by calling ATT and they directed me to the same step.

use PPPoE for your att and also configure PPPoE with your linksys router which u must enter the username and password for both things.  If anyone is still having problem email me or beter give me ur phone number (u.s numberss). and I can help you more for free.

campaigner1 · Answer

I've been having the exact same problem.  I purchased a Linksys router just last month, and finally got around to connecting it this weekend.  I'm using an ATT DSL modem and my internet connection is fine, no problems.  When my DSL modem is connected directly to my computer, my internet works flawlessly.

I went through the setup Wizard CD and go to the point where router was checking my internet connection(step 9 or 10 on the CD Wizard I believe), and after what appears to be three tries it says "router could not find an internet connection".

So I went online to educate myself about the problem, and I discovered that many recommend not using the setup CD.  I found tutorials about how to configure it myself blah blah.  So I did all that, followed a lengthy tutorial I found online.... powered down properly, powered back up, reconnected, logged onto the Linksys configuration page directly using the router's IP address.  I entered all the information, PPPoE, ATT username and password, etc.  Got right to the point of checking the status of the connection....and nothing.  It will not connect.



It still won't connect.

No idea what to do next.  Update firmware?  Different router?  Maybe a problem with Linksys being used with ATT modems?  Any ideas?

Mike

Debb · Answer

After hours of trying this and that all I needed to do was sign into the basic linksys page at http://192.168.1.1 and change the IP to 192.168.2.1!

Don't need to change the DHCP setting

Scientist · Answer

Conncet to your Linksys router to your computer. Set it to automatic Configuration DHCP (it is the default but make sure it is). Look for Local IP address (router IP Address). Change it to 10.10.10.1. 

Below that DHCP server, click Enable. STARTING IP adress to 10.10.10.100.

Save Settings.

Click continue.

Go to STATUS TAB. click release IP address. click Renew IP address.


 you see DNA server is 198.168.1.254.

Remove compter connection.

Restart Modem, after solid green light, connect router.

Go and check every laptop /computer for wireless connections. At the end, if you have a computer that is to be connected to a router, then connect it to the router using ethernet cable. At any time you want to reset your modem, make sure you are not connected to the computer directly otherwise it changes DNS server and you loose all wireless connections)

I hope it works for you.

ericw · Answer

I had the problem and eventually fixed it similar to what is reported above - by changing the local host address from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.10.1

Here is what I figure to be the problem.  Looks like AT&T is also using NAT gear for its DNS server with the DNS address of 192.168.1.254.  When your PC do a DNS look up, it will send the request to AT&T DNS server - with the address of 192.168.1.54.  When your default Linksys router got the request, it says "Oh, 192.168.1 is my local network" so the router will not forward the request to the DLS network but will try looking for the DNS server inside your house.

By changing the local network in your house to 192.168.x, where x is not 1, it solves the problem since the router will forward the 192.168.1 packets into the Internet.

flisk · Answer

I typed in adressbar http://192.168.1.1 and when it asks for username and password admin pass and username don't work any1 knows how do I change it?

brstilson · Answer

Yes, the answer is to change the IP address of your router, and here's why?

Unlike a cable modem, a DSL modem is a gateway, a pseudo-router in its own right.  It has its own IP address and configuration page if you were to type that number into the address bar of a browser.  It also typically has a DHCP server so I can assign an IP address to your computer.

The problem with hooking up a router in-line with your DSL connection is that typically a router is also a DHCP server, and its IP address is usually in the exact same subnet as the DSL modem.  In my case, the router was at its default 192.168.1.1 and the DSL modem was at 192.168.1.254.  Well the DSL modem's address happened to be in the range of assignable addresses for my router, and vice-versa.  So basically the situation was two DHCP servers fighting over the same range of addresses.  I changed the router's IP address to 10.0.0.1 and all was well, but pretty much any address that wasn't 192.168.1.x would have worked.  By putting the router on a different subnet, you basically separate two fighting territorial wolves and give them each their own space to control.

A word to the wise, DO NOT call your DSL technical support.  They are not equipped to handle wireless router questions.

Of course the simplest solution is the buy a DSL modem with a built-in wireless gateway in the first place.

my internet sucks · Answer

Ok so I changed the local address to 192.168.2.1 and kept the dhcp as is, but now my internet is slower then what it use to be and videos load extra extra slow...And on top of it all, I called At&t dsl line and they said they cant help me with my router. They want me to pay their tech people for their modem resetting!!! Any solutions to get it running back in DSL mode and not 54mps

Steve · Answer

Yes, fixed my problem also I switch from comcast cable modem to ATT DSL modem and All I had to do was change the Ip address of my Linksys wireless router from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.2.1 and leave the drop down menus to the default automatic DHCP and I was able to connect to the internet..from what I understand DSL uses this address and Comcast cable it doesn`t so thats were the confiict was...Good luck
Steve

"b" · Answer

You have to bridge the att modem 1st-then hook up the router and set it to pppoe with yout att provided username and password---if it doesnt immediately work, powercycle the entire network in this order ---modem, router, pc and bring it back up the same way....then you should be able to surf with no problem

nick · Answer

hi, when I search for a new connection, I find a linksys, but I don't know if it is ours, what does a linksys router look like?

sinicalypse · Answer

hey thanks to the fine chap/s who pointed out that you merely have to change the default dns to 192.168.2.1 as opposed to 1.1  --- I too had at&t basically weasel around and transfer me to three people going through call-screens where they're like "if you want to use our premium tech support service dial this number, it can be billed either to your credit card or account"  or press 2 or 3 or whatever.

i get a lady on the phone tell her I just need that one magic little thing to do to make it work, and she asked for credit card numbers so they can charge me $30.

it wouldn't surprise me if they have their modems route like that on purpose so that way schmucks with linksys routers go UH OH and might not have the foresight to google the problem and see what the people say, and then they'll go $30 please and then BAM.  you're in.  or well someone said linksys says it, but again, it's a rough and tumble world and so it goes, my friends, so it goes.

anyways, now I am not chained to the wall by the incoming phonebox downstairs so I can sit upstairs and wireless route like the pimp I am so thank you guys for all of your help.  you do the lord's work here

# james, like lebron,

itworks! · Answer

just an update after 2 days of trying and searching

heres my setup

AT&T DSL
WESTELL modem
Linksys WRT54G

had to go to 192.168.1.1
go to set up screen as mentioned above
basic setup
change local IP to 192.168.2.1
and top drop down bar set to Auto-Config DHCP
and it worked.

crazyman · Answer

just found out you dont need a extra router. the modem has a built in router. in the network area you should see "2WIRE" thats your you'll just need to know the password and AT&T should be able to help obtain one

Brandon · Answer

Alright.. So here I am.. Brand new desktop. I've got all of the drivers installed for my NETGEAR WG311v3 network card. I tried the linksys one that we had in the other desktop before we ran cat6 to it. The linksys card did not work. Recently I am getting 1 mbps. Now I am in the basement and the router and modem are on the top floor, however my laptop gets wireless just fine. I've tried adjusting the antenna on the back of the network card and have had no luck. I'm using a 128 bit encryption for all 5 computers that have access to the network. I have tried the good ole' unplug the modem for 10 seconds and let it reset itself.. pretty much the only thing ATT customer service people will help me with. I'm not wanting to have to change all of my network settings because then I have to redo the settings on all 5 computers. The modem is one of the westell ones.. It was white to start with but it has turned a yellowish color .. guessing from the heat it gives off. I was on the internet having no trouble at all.. even with the netgear network card. I've been pinging the router and I am getting an avg. of 11 ms response time. We have gone through 4 or 5 linksys routers.. all set up professionally.. I am so frustrated with the internet going on and off. It isnt only my desktop that's being affected. We have another desktop upstairs that has been disconnecting recently too. 
Hope someone can help.. before this linksys router find's itself to the shooting range- as the target. Router model is WRT160N I changed the IP to 192.168.2.1 and had no luck at all. I suppose that nobody is reading this thread anymore.. Was really hoping to get some answers to what might be going on. I might just have to go get a nice netgear router. Also I'd like to add that my laptop which normally gets good signal down here in the basement.. the internet on it is at a crawling speed. Honestly people this is worse than dial up! It's pretty sad when you get excited when your internet speed goes to 2 mbps!

gaww · Answer

Even with the setting changed to 192.168.2.1, it connects but will NOT let both a wired in desktop and a wireless Laptop out to the internet at the same time.  I am doing this for a friend whose old Siemens modem went out.   I am having her return it and get the 2Wire - not worth all the wasted time to keep working on the Motorola modem - which is a piece of junk in any case.

Note - last fall, for reasons I will not get into, I temporally went off Earthlink DSL (on AT&T lines) to AT&T dry loop.  Went through hell trying to get the Motorola working with my Dlink draft N router.  Got second level AT&T to work with me on this, and they were surprised that after trying a number of settings changes (in addition to the domain number change), it would work briefly and then always go out.  Even tried a 2Wire in bridge mode (I needed to stay with N), which also worked briefly that stopped. 

I tried plugging in my Earthlink modem (without modifying any settings) and it worked for a few months until I moved.  The AT&T tech (I had his direct line by that point) was really surprised also.  I was able to return all AT&T devices for full credit.

As a result of all this, there is no way I would go with AT&T as a direct ESP.  I actually got good support help (NOT in India), but their proprietary modem mods make their overall service unacceptable.

Drew · Answer

Sometimes the DSL modem is using the same local TCP/IP address. For example if your router is using 192.168.1.1 and your new modem also has a hard-coded IP address that is identical, you won't get internet traffic. Change the router address to 192.168.2.1.  That should get your internet access working.

Found187 · Answer

router IP change worked for me... went from 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.10.1
got the ol' internets going again, no PPPoE changes, no speed decrease, and I can access the internet simultaneously from a wireless laptop and this computer

procedure:
1) changed router IP
2) Plugged ethernet into modem
3) unplugged both
4) plugged in modem, waited for all possible lights to come on
5) plugged in router
6) posted this comment 

Service:  AT&T U-verse DSL 6.0Mb
Modem:  Motorola MIPDSLA (standard black one in the AT&T startup box)
Router:  Linksys WRT54GS v2

Dr. James · Answer

First you need to configure att&t modem from PPP to PPPoE. once you configure it, go ahead plug the network cable to the wireless router.
2nd: configure wireless router from DHCP to PPPoE mode.
3rd: enter your full customer ID. Example: joesmith@att.net, don't forget your DSL network password.
4th: just click save settings and you are done.

dennis · Answer

will my linksys rout
er work with any modem

Jacob · Answer

I. Love. You.  Changed the router from the 1 to the 2 and IT WORKS.  I officially hate ATT even more than I used to.

Problem with AT&T Modem and Linksys Router

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